Pump jack



g 1938. J. E. HALL 2,126 992 PUMP JACK Filed July 18, 1956 2Sheets-She@+ l @www HIS /9//0/1@ Aug. 16, 1938. J, E HALL 2,126,992

PUMP JACK Filed July 18, 1936 2 ShJets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 16,'Y

UNiTED STAT/Es PATENT foFFlcE 11 Claims.

This invention relates to well pumping equipment and relates moreparticularly to a pump jack. A general object of this invention is toprovide a simple, practical pump jack capable '5 of eiecting theadjustment, regulation and manipulation o f the pump rods.

In the pumping of deep wells such as oil wells it is sometimes necessaryto adjust the pump rods, vary the stroke of the well pump, jar the rodsand manipulate the rods in other manners. The pump jacks now in generaluse are not provided with means for manipulating the pump rods and whenadjustment or manipulation of the rods is needed it becomes necessary totempararily install special apparatus for this purpose.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pump jack embodyingpractical eii'ective means for adjusting and manipulating the pump rodor sucker rod string.

Another object of this invention is to provide the combination of awalking beam and means associated with the walking beam for adjustingand manipulating the pump rod or sucker rod string in various manners.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device or attachmentfor application to atypical walking beam that is operable to adjust,regulate and manipulate the pump rod or sucker rod string, as desired.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device or attachment ofthe character mentioned that may be supported entirely by the walkingbeam and the Samson post.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the charactermentioned that may be installed on the walking beam to be immediatelyavailable at all times for the adjustment and manipulation of the pumprod or sucker rod sirig and the well pump.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the charactermentioned that may be operated by movement of the walking beam so thatit does not necessitate the installation of a power unit for itsactuation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the charactermentioned that is dependable and positive in its movement and adjustmentof the sucker rod string.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device of thecharacter mentioned that is inexpensive and that may be installed on atypical walking beam with little or no alteration or modification of thebeam.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fullyunderstood from the follow- (Cl. Z55-15) ing detailed description of atypical preferred form and application of the invention, throughoutwhich description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view'of a typical well derrickillustrating the pump jack and the associated parts in elevation. zFig.2 is an enlarged longitudinal detailed sectional view of the cylinderand piston mechanism and the adjacent parts of the device. Fig. 3 is anenlarged fragmentary top or plan elevation of the inner end portion ofthe walking beam and the parts thereon. Fig. 4 is an enlargedfragmentary end elevation taken substantially as indicated by line 4-4on Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse detailed sectional viewtaken as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. 2. Fig. 6 isan enlarged verticalldetailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 6-5 on Fig. 3 showingthe pulleys in elevation, and Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary planelevation of the. cylinder and piston mechanism, the pump and theadjacent parts.

The device of the present invention is adapted to be embodied in orapplied to well pumping equipment of various types. In the drawings Ihave illustrated one form of the invention applied to or embodied in atypical pump jack of the walking beam type, it being understood that theinvention is not to be construed as limited or restricted to thespeciilc form or application about to be described.

The typical well equipment illustrated in the drawings includes aderrick I0, a Samson post II and a pitman I2 operated by the crank I3 ofa wheel or drum I4. A tubing head I5 projects from the floor I6 of thederrick I0 and the polish rod Il of the pumping string extends upwardlythrough the oil saver or gland I8 of the head I5. A clamp I9 is securedto the upper portion of the polish rod I'I. A bridle 20 has its oppositeends secured to the clarnp I9 for the purpose of operating the suckerrodstring in the manner to be hereinafter described'.

The apparatus or combination provided by the present invention includes,generally, a walking beam 2I pivotally supported on the Samson post II,means 22 on the beam 2I for engaging the bridle 20 to operate the pumprod, a cylinder and piston mechanism 23 on the walking beam 2Ioperatively connected with the bridle 20 and operable to adjust andmanipulate the pump rod, and means 24 for operating the cylinder andpiston mechanism 23.

The walking beam 2| may be of typical or standard construction. Forexample, it may be formed of steel or 4of wood. as illustrated. Thewalking beam 2| is pivotally supported midway between its ends on theupper end of the Samson post by a suitable saddle 25. The upper side 26of the walking beam 2| is preferably flat. A stirrup 21 is secured 'tothe upper end of the pitman |2 and engages over the outer end portion ofthe beam so that the beam is oscillated or pivoted by the pitman. Thewalking beam 2| projects into the derrick I8 to have its inner endsubstantially above the tubing head I5. It is to be understood that thewheel or drum |4 may be'driven by a suitable power means to oscillate orpivot the walking beam 2|. A counterbalance 6 may be associated with thewalking beam 2|, the drum |4 or other elements of the pump jack in any.of the well known manners.

The means 22 on the walking beam 2| for operatively engaging the bridleI2 may be varied considerably without departing from the spirit of theinvention. In the preferred construction the means 22 includes an ironor bracket 28 secured to the upper side 26 of the beam 2| at the innerend of the beam. Spaced pairs of upwardly projecting lugs or bosses 28are provided on the bracket 28. A pin or shaft 36 extends throughtransverse openings in the bosses 28 to be supported by the bosses. Ahorses head or arc is provided to engage the bridle 20 to guide anddirect it over the inner end of the walking beam 2|. 'I'he arc includestwo curved or arcuate members 3| provided with suitable grooves toreceive the bridle 20. The upper end part of each member 3| is yoked tohave two arms 32. One arm of each member 3| engages against the outerside of an outer boss 23 and the other .arms 32 engage against the innersides of the inner bosses 29. The arms 32 have openings 33 passing orreceiving the shaft 30 whereby the shaft secures the upper ends of themembers 3| to the walking beam. A head 34 is provided on one end of theshaft 38 and a nut 35 is provided on the other end of the shaft 36 toprevent the displacement of the arms 32 from the shaft and to retain theshaft in position. A rod or brace 36 is connected with the lower endportions of the members 3| and is secured to the under side of thewalking beam 2| to connect the lower ends of the members 3| with thewalking beam. The arc members 3|- are curved about the axis of pivotalmovement of the walking beam 2| so that they The means 2z forassociating the brune zo with the walking beam 2| further includes apart 38 at the upper side of the Walkingbeam 2|. The part 38 is rigidlyconnected with the beam 2| in th e manner to be hereinafter described.The part 38 is in the nature of a channel or partially tubular elementand extends longitudinally of the beam 2|. The central longitudinal axisof the part 38 is substantially tangential with respect to a point onthe upper port of a circle concentric with and of the same diameter asthe grooves in the pulleys 31. Due to this pitch or inclination of thepart 38 the part is spaced some distance above the upper side 26 of thewalking beam. The forward end portion of the partA 38 lis split ordivided to have two forks 39. The

forks 38 are attened and lie against the inner sides of the outermostbosses 23. Openings 49 are provided in the forks 38 to receive the shaft30 so that the shaft secures the forward end portion of the part 38 to'the walking beam 2i. The

longitudinal channel or opening 4| of the partially tubular part 38 hasa cylindrically curved wal.

In accordance with the invention a plurality of longitudinally spacedpairs of aligned openings 42 is provided in the walls of the part 38. Asaddle or connecting member 43 is shiftably arranged in the opening 4|and has a hook-like projection on its upper side providing a. notch 44which receives the loop end of the bridle' 20. A rounded skid projection45 is provided on the under side of the connecting member 43 andshiftably bears on the bottom wall of the opening 4|. Relatively broadanges 43` project from the opposite sides of the member 43 and shiftablyoperate along the upper edges of the parts 38 to prevent undesiredtilting of the members. The member 43 is provided with a transverseopening 46. A removable pin 41 is adapted to be inserted through a pairof aligned openings 42 and the opening 46 to secure the member 43against movement 'at a desired or adjusted position and thus connect thebridle 20 to the beam 2| in the selected adjustment. The pin 41 may tthe opening 46 or the openings 42 with substantial clearance. The pin4'| may be removed from the openings 42 and 46 to allow longitudinaladjustment of the member 43 in the opening 4I and adjustment of the pumprod string by the cylinder and piston mechanism 23. Cotter keys 48 orthe like may be provided on the projecting opposite end portions of thepin 41 to prevent its accidental displacement.

The cylinder and piston mechanism 23 is operable to shift the member`43longitudinally and thus effect shifting of the bridle 20 and the pumprod relative to the walking beam to adjust or otherwise manipulate thepump rod string, the well pump, orotherequipment. Thecylinder and pistonmechanism 23 includes a cylinder 50 and a piston 5| operable in thecylinder. In accordance with the invention the cylinder 5|) is carriedby the walking beam 2|. In the preferred construction the abovedescribed part 38 and the cylinder 50 are integral, the part 38 being anintegral open extension of the cylinder. The cylinder 5|) is supportedon theupper side 26 of the walking beam by a suitable base or bracket52. The bracket 52 may be arranged directly above the saddle 25 and maybe secured to the walking beam by U-bolts or rods 53. The upper side ofthe bracket 52 is concave to receive and conform to the cylinder 50 andis inclined so thatthe longitudinal axis of the cylinder and the part 38may be substantially tangential with respect to the pulleys 3| as abovedescribed. Bolted on caps 53 are provided on the bracket 52 and engageabout the cylinder 50 to secure the cylinder in place. Heads 54 and 55close the opposite ends of the cylinder 50. The head 54 may be threadedin the outer or rear end of the cylinder 50 while the head 55 may bewelded in the inner end of the cylinder. The cylinder 50 is preferablycomparatively long to provide for substantial adjustment of the pumpingequipment.

'I'he piston 5| of the means 23 may be of any suitable construction andmay be provided with sealing rings 54 of any practical type. A rod 56 isconnected with the piston 5| and extends outwardly through an opening inthe head 55. A Suitable packing gland 5l may be provided on the head 55to seal about the rod. The piston rod B is connected with the member 43whereby longitudinal movement of the piston 5| is accompanied bymovement of the member 43 and adjustment or movement of the string ofpump rods. In practice the outer end portion of the rod 55 may bethreaded in an opening 58 in the member 43 and a lock nut 59 may lockthe rod against unthreading from the opening. A pressure dome 9 ispreferably provided on the cylinder 58 to communicate with its inner endportion to reduce or absorb the shock to the equipment usually Yaccompanying the pick up of the pump rod. A

pressure gauge 8 is provided on the cylinder to indicate load or weightimposed by the pumping string. A normally closed threaded port or boss 1may be provided on the cylinder 50 to communicate with its inner endportion to receive the nipple of a pressure recording or weightrecording device for recording the action of the pumping equipmentduring the various phases of its stroke.

The means 24 for actuating the cylinder and piston mechanism 23 ispreferably in the nature of a pump means although the inventioncontemplates the operation of the cylinder and piston mechanism 23 byfluid under pressure from any available source. In the embodiment of theinvention illustrated the means 24 includes a pump The pump B0 may be ofthe cylinder and piston type and may be mounted in any desired location.In order to eliminate the necessity of flexible fluid conduits forcarrying the actuating uid to the cylinder 50 on the movable walkingbeam 2| it is preferred to mount the pump 60 on the walking beam. In theparticular arrangement illustrated the pump 60 is mounted on the upperside 26 of the walking beam 2| adjacent one end of the cylinder 50. Thepump 60 illustrated in the drawings has an operating lever 8| projectinglongitudinally of the beam 20.

It is a feature of the invention that the pump 6|! may be operated bymovement of the walking beam 2|. Various means may be employed to eiectoperation of the pump 60 by the beam 2|. In the particular caseillustrated a pair of stationary arms 62 project laterally orhorizontally from the Samson post Il and pivoted links 63 extendupwardly from the arms. A transverse rod 64 is pivotally connected withthe upper ends of the links 63 and is pivotable in an opening 65 in thelever 6I. As the point of connection of the links 63 with the lever 8|is offset from the pivotal axis of the beam 2| the links 53 connectingthe lever 6| with the arms 62 effect operation of the pump when the beammoves. There may be a. plurality of longitudinally spaced openings 65 inthe lever 6I and a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings 66 in thearms 62 to permit the regulation of the stroke of the pump 60. Theopenings 63 are adapted to receive the pivot pins for connecting thelinks with the arms 62.

A conduit 10 receives the fluid or liquid from the discharge of the pump60 and has a branch 1| communicating with one end of the cylinder 50 anda branch 12 communicating with the other end of the cylinder. Valves 1|a and 12a are provided in the branches 1| and 12 to control them. Aconduit 13 is connected with the inlet of the pump 60 and has a branch14 communicating with one end of the cylinder 50 and a branch 15communicating with the other end of the cylinder. The branches 14 and 15of the conduit 13 are controlled by suitable valves 14a and 15B. Areservoir 16 may be provided on the beam 2| adjacent the pump 60. A pipe11 may connect the reservoir 18 with the conduit 13. The cylinder andpiston mechanism is adapted to be actuated by a suitable liquid such asoil supplied to it under pressure by the pump 60.

During normal operation the pin 41 is arranged through the opening 46and a pair of aligned openings 42 to connect the bridle 20 with thewalking beam 2| and the walking beam is oscillated in the usual mannerto eiect reciprocation of the polish rd |1 and the pumping stringconnected therewith. 'I'he pump 60 may be disconnected or idle duringthe regular pumping operations. The links 83 may be disconnected fromthe arms 62 or rod 64 may be removed to render the pump 60 inoperative;When it is desired to change the stroke of the well pump, to adjust thepump rods or other conditions in the well, or when it is desired tootherwise manipulate the pumping string the operation of the walkingbeam 2| is temporarily suspended. The lever 5| of the pump 60 isoperatively connected with the stationary arms 82 by the replacement andconnection of the links 63 and/or rod 64. The valves 1|a, 12, 15l and14*l are then manipulated or set to provide for the operation of thepiston 5| in the desired direction. For example, if it is desired toraise the pumping string the valve is opened, the valve 14*i is closed,the valve 1|a is closed and the valve 12a is opened. The pump 60 is thenoperated to supply liquid under pressure to the cylinder 50 through thebranch conduit 12 and its valve 12Hl to effect operation of the piston5|. Where the pump 60 is provided with the operating means describedabove the walking beam 2| is operated by the usual operating means toeffect actuation of the pump 60. When the pump 60 is in operation itsupplies uid under pressure through the branch conduit 12 and valve 12to move the piston 5| in a direction to lift or move the pumping stringupwardly. As the bridle 20 extends over the pulleys 31 and the member 43moves in the part 38 this movement of the pumping string by the piston2| may be readily accomplished. The piston 5I may be moved or shifted tobring the pumping rod to the desired position or adjustment. In practicethe piston 5I may be actuated by the liquid under pressure to positionthe member 43 where its opening 48 is aligned with a pair of openings42. The pin 41 is then inserted through the aligned openings 42 and 46and secured in position by the cotter keys 48. By suitably reversing thevalves 1|, 12B, 14lland 15 the piston may be shifted in the oppositedirection to effect downward adjustment of the rods. The adjustment ofthe pump rods may be slow or gradual or may be rapid, as desired. Undercertain conditions it may be found desirable to operate the cylinder andpiston 23 during operation of the walking beam 2| to produce a desiredpumping action or stroke.

With the apparatus of the present invention the pump rods may beadjusted from time to time to compensate for their elongation and thestroke of the well pump may be very accurately controlled. The bridle 20is normally dependably secured to the walking beam 2| and the provisionof the device on the walking beam does not endanger the pump apparatus.The adjusting means may be permanently installed on the walking beam 2lto be immediately available for the adjustment and manipulation of thepumping equipment. The'device or apparatus is inexpensive and may beinexpensively installed on a typical walking beam.

The cylinder and piston mechanism 23 may be employed for "the shiftingand .manipulation -walking beamv 2l may be swung from its operativeposition where it projects into the derrick i to an inoperative positionout of the derrick by means of the cylinder and piston mechanism 23. Itis to be understood that the cylinder and piston mechanism 23 and thevarious other elements of the invention may be employed in connectionwith pump jacks of various natures and the invention'is not'to beconstrued as restricted to application to or embodiment in the typicalwalking beam type of pump jack illustrated. The apparatus is readilyadaptable for application to pumping equipment of various characters.The cylinder and piston mechanism 23 may be actuated by fluid underpressure supplied to it from a source of uid pressure remote from thewalking beam or pump jack proper. When the cylinder and piston mechanism23 is actuated by fluid pressure from a remote source thepump 6 0 andthe associated parts may be dispensed with. The cylinder and pistonmechanism 23 provided with the pressure gauge 8 and the boss I forreceiving a weight recording device may be utilized to accuratelydetermine the action of the pumping equipment and the weight on the pumprod during various stages of operation of the equipment. These devicesassociated with the cylinder and piston mechanism 23 may be employed toaccurately determine the proper speed at which the pump should beoperated, to determine when the well is sanded up, to determine when thepump rod is broken, to determine the producing conditions of the well,as well as other 4factors of the pumping operation.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of myinvention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specificdetails herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variationsor modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fallwithin the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. A pump jack for operating a well pump rod including, an oscillatingelement, means releasably connecting the rod with the element to bereciprocated thereby, and fluid pressure means for adjusting the rodwhen the rst mentioned means is released.

2. A pump jack for operating a well pump rod including, an oscillatingelement, means releasably connecting the rod with the element to bereciprocated thereby, and iiuid pressure means on the element formanipulating the rod when the first mentioned means is released.

3. A pump jack for operating a well pump rod including, an oscillatingelement, means releasably connecting the rod with the element to bereciprocated thereby, and a cylinder and piston mechanism on the elementfor shifting the rod when the said means is released.

4. A pump jack for operating a well pump rod including, an oscillatingelement, means for releasably connecting the rod with the element to beoperated thereby, iiuid pressure actuated means'for shifting the rodwhen the ilrst mentioned means is released, and means actuated by theelement for supplying fluid under pressure to the uid pressure actuatedmeans.

5. A pump jack tor operating a well pump rod including, a walking beam,means for releasably connecting the rod with the beam to be operatedthereby, iiuid pressure actuated means for shifting the rod when theiirst mentioned means is released, and means actuated by the beam forsupplying fluid under pressure to the fluid pres- Lsure actuated means,the two last mentioned means operated by the beam for actuating thepump.

7. A device for use on a walking beam for handling the pump rod operatedthereby, said device including, a cylinder on the beam, a pistonoperable in the cylinder, a pump on the beam for supplying liquid underpressure to the cylinder, and means for operatively connecting thepiston with the pump rod including a cable having its opposite endsconnected with the pump rod, the cable being trained to constitute aloop, and a member movable with the piston and engaging the cable loop.

8. A device for use on a Walking beam for handling the pump rod operatedthereby, said device including, a cylinder on the beam, a pistonoperable in the cylinder, a member connected with the rod and the pistonwhereby the piston is operable to move the -rod, and releasable meansfor connecting the member with the beam in any one of a plurality ofpositions whereby the rod is operable by the beam.

9. A pump jack for operating a well pump rod having a bridle including,a walking beam, a guide part on the beam, a member connected with thebridle'and shiftable on the guide part, releasable means for connectingthe member with the guide part in any one of a plurality of positionswhereby the rod is operated by the beam, and a cylinder and pistonmechanism on the beam for shifting said member when said means isreleased.

1l. A pump jack for operating a well pump rod having a bridle including,an oscillating element, a guide part on the element, a member connectedwith the bridle and shiftable on the guide part,-

releasable means for connecting the member with the guide part in anyone of a plurality of positions whereby the rod is operated by theelement,

and means for shifting the member when said.

means is released, the last mentioned means including a cylinder'on theelement, a piston operable in the cylinder, a rod connecting the memberand the piston, and means for supplying actuating uid pressure to thecylinder.

JESSE E. HALL.

